UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Top court’s green governance, cause for uncertainty

Q1. The Supreme Court's November 2025 judgment defining 'Aravali Hills' and 'Aravali Ranges' (in the T.N. Godavarman proceedings) issued conservation directions applicable to how many States/UTs?

  • A. Two
  • B. Three
  • C. Four
  • D. Five

Q2. In the context of the Supreme Court's environmental governance, the term 'continuing mandamus' most precisely refers to which one of the following?

  • A. A writ of mandamus that remains in force over an extended period, keeping the Court in a supervisory role over executive functioning across multiple hearings
  • B. A direction that automatically lapses once the executive files its first compliance affidavit
  • C. A writ issued only by the National Green Tribunal to compel a statutory regulator to act
  • D. A one-time order quashing an executive decision and remanding it for fresh consideration

Q3. With reference to the States/UTs covered by the Supreme Court's November 2025 Aravali Hills and Ranges directions, consider the following: 1. Rajasthan 2. Madhya Pradesh 3. Haryana 4. Gujarat Which of the above are correctly identified as covered by the said directions?

  1. Rajasthan
  2. Madhya Pradesh
  3. Haryana
  4. Gujarat
  • A. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q4. Consider the following statements comparing the Supreme Court's 2025 Aravali definitions with its directions on Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs): 1. An 'Aravali Hill' is defined as a landform reaching a height of 100 metres or greater from local relief, with an added 100-metre buffer. 2. An 'Aravali Range' is defined as at least two hills located within 500 metres of each other. 3. The mandatory minimum Eco-Sensitive Zone around a national park or wildlife sanctuary was fixed at 500 metres from its demarcated boundary. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. An 'Aravali Hill' is defined as a landform reaching a height of 100 metres or greater from local relief, with an added 100-metre buffer.
  2. An 'Aravali Range' is defined as at least two hills located within 500 metres of each other.
  3. The mandatory minimum Eco-Sensitive Zone around a national park or wildlife sanctuary was fixed at 500 metres from its demarcated boundary.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. Per the Supreme Court's November 2025 Aravali judgment, which authority was directed to prepare the Comprehensive Master Plan for Sustainable Mining covering the Aravalis?

  • A. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
  • B. Ministry of Mines
  • C. Ministry of Coal
  • D. Ministry of Jal Shakti